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The Excellence Dividend: Meeting the Tech Tide with Work that Wows and Jobs that Last

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"Tom Peters' new book is a bundle of beautiful dynamite. While I've been a CEO for 30 years, I still learned much worth knowing from The Excellence Dividend. You will too."
--John C. Bogle, founder, Vanguard


For decades Tom Peters has been preaching the gospel of putting people first, and in today's rapidly changing business environment, this message is more important than ever. With his unparalleled expertise and inimitable charisma, Peters offers brilliantly simple, actionable guidelines for success that any business leader can immediately implement. He provides a roadmap for your organization and for you as an individual to thrive amidst the tech tsunami, and he has a lot of fun doing it. The Excellence Dividend is an important new book from one of today's greatest business thinkers.

496 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2018

190 people are currently reading
1275 people want to read

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Tom Peters

230 books311 followers

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5 stars
164 (45%)
4 stars
109 (30%)
3 stars
61 (16%)
2 stars
18 (4%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Mark Fallon.
918 reviews30 followers
April 19, 2018
Full disclosure - I'm a big fan of Tom Peters. I don't agree with everything he writes, but he's probably the most honest and consistent expert/writer/critic on leadership and management since Peter Drucker.

The layout, fonts, and writing style of this book will bring the reader as close as possible to hearing Tom present live without leaving their chair. Now that I've read it once, it's time to go back and make notes about what I have to start doing, stop doing and read.

Plus, I need to order a bunch of copies to send to friends and clients.
Profile Image for Teri Temme.
Author 1 book54 followers
April 26, 2018
A thousand times YES!!!!!!!

This book is going to be required reading for anyone wanting to get to know me...seriously. I can't think of any other book encapsulating what I have been striving for all of my professional life.

If this book doesn't motivate you to make a difference in this world....well, then we can't be friends.

One of my favorite quotes in the book, from Richard Branson: "Business has to give people enriching, rewarding lives...or it's simply not worth doing."
Profile Image for Jim Dooley.
915 reviews68 followers
June 7, 2018
A masterwork, pulling years of ideas from Tom Peters and applying them to the “Tech Tsunami” in which we find ourselves swirling. It is ripe with concepts for consideration and challenges to act for managers, but it is indispensable for anyone who wants to analyze the ins and outs of successful business. (As I write this, I’ll be enjoying early Retirement next month. Still, I was fascinated and will be sharing the perspectives with others.)

Years ago, I attended a conference in which Tom Peters was a featured speaker (along with Stephen Covey, among others). Every speaker entered the stage from the wings and crossed to the podium as we’d expect ... except Tom Peters. He entered from the back of the hall, walked down the center aisle shaking hands with surprised audience members, then climbed up to the stage and began his presentation. Before he said his first word, I knew that he loved being with his audience.

What always differentiated Tom Peters from many other business gurus was that he did not provide “one size fits all” solutions. He presented observations, proposals and rants, then let you decide what should be done in your situation. I attended three other speaking engagements of his through the years, and bought most of his books. Each was well worth the time spent.

This one is a must-read. Oh, there were things that challenged me ... even he didn’t fully agree with one of the items! However, I was never less than intrigued. His People First message with all of the attendant iterations is especially needed now that Artificial Intelligence is making in-roads into areas where many of us thought machines would never go.

This is valuable for anyone at any stage of a business career. And don’t concern yourself if you think the writing will be stodgy. Tom Peters keeps things very, very lively. In fact, it often felt as if I was attending one of his incredibly energy-filled presentations. I very highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Theodore Kinni.
Author 11 books39 followers
June 4, 2018
Tom Peters says this book is 50 years in the making--and there's enough insight and advice in it to keep managers busy for the next 50 years
Profile Image for Karren Hodgkins.
395 reviews20 followers
June 24, 2018
This is quintessential Tom Peters. Having devoured Re-imagine! many years ago, I recognised and enjoyed his relaxed, conversational style. There are rants, asides and some very direct assertions.

I love these thoughts,
“This book is about hard work and unrelenting development and maintenance of a culture of excellence,”

“Excellence, to repeat, is a human-driven affair, a state of mind, not a computer-generated exercise.”

‘Excellence is profitable. Excellence is security.”

“Excellence is a moment-to-moment way of life, or it is nothing at all.”

Tom Peters speaks powerfully and clearly, indeed, you can’t miss the message.

There are fifteen chapters with fifteen ideas. The examples and stories throughout, illustrate these deep and broad concepts and help the reader better understand just what he means! For example, “...lousy grammar, poor word choice, carelessness of any sort, is a direct reflection of the level of your commitment to excellence.” Wow! No shortcuts in his world. I feel vindicated in taking a little longer on my communications. This may not resonate with you, but it does with me. As leaders of teams, communication is key and I have seen shortcuts in this one area alone, result in wasted time and effort, increase levels of frustration and have teams undertake do-overs because of that vague, casual briefing. The antithesis of excellence!

The content is so broad and could be quite challenging, yet the way the author pulls it all together makes it an entertaining read, one I found hard to rush through, one I found hard to put down. It speaks to the present, of an expert who devours new content, embraces change, experiments and shares what he has learnt. There are many additional resources included in the book should you want to explore any of the ideas in more detail.

I am so grateful that he penned it. Make sure this one is on your reading list for 2018, you won’t be sorry.

With many thanks to the author, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley for my free copy to review.
5 reviews
December 4, 2018
Business A2Z

A really good thought provoking read of all the contemporary business thoughts. Throughly enjoyed it, would recommend to others and will be dipping in again and again
Profile Image for Joe Sabado.
26 reviews7 followers
April 9, 2018
Best mgmt/leadership book I've ever read.

I've read more than a couple of hundreds of books on management/leadership and the workplace. This book by Tom Peters seem to put the ideas I've read together. I follow him on Twitter and his style there is the same as this book. Conversational in tone, unapologetic, and definitely speaks from experience. Highly recommend! I will be reading this book many time as reminders on how I can improve myself to help me lead.
4 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2018
Not The Same

This is no longer the same Time Peters i know of many years ago, he has changed. Tom Peters has become greater....if there is only one sane and sensible business book you can read this year. This book is it! Exclamation Point!




Profile Image for Lori Tatar.
660 reviews74 followers
February 26, 2018
Working in the tech industry, it is easy to lose the humanity in what we do every day. As I read this, I recognized shadows of some of the things my company tries to do, oftentimes less than successfully, and certainly not with excellence. This really struck a chord with me as I look back on how we have "progressed" as we have gotten larger and larger, constantly seeking higher revenues and increasing shareholder value.

Employees recognize the shift further and further away from their happiness and well-being, financial and otherwise. We still pay lip service to the tenets of the importance of our employees but the reality is a stark contrast to our ideals.

This book put the focus back on the people, the culture as being just as important as the dollars. My list of people who will be receiving this book is growing, as well as a list of those who will be receiving strong recommendations. I believe this should be required reading for executive leadership, not just for tech companies, but for any large company. I love the idea of putting the culture and people first. They are the tide upon which the ship floats.

It also serves as a reminder that, while the huge companies have the majority of the clout, it is the small / medium businesses that are the bread and butter of our economy.
Profile Image for Kevin Eikenberry.
Author 25 books30 followers
October 28, 2020
In 1982, two consultants at McKinsey & Co. published a book to little fanfare. One year later, a million copies had been sold, “everyone” had heard of In Search of Excellence, and the world of business has never quite been the same.

Now, 36 years later, Peters has published what he calls the sequel or “excellence II.” It is vintage Tom Peters. It is important. It is worth reading, thinking about, acting on, and then doing it all again.

Ever since I read In Search of Excellence (mine was likely among that first million copies sold), I’ve been a fan. I think I have read all of Tom’s books, I follow him on Twitter (he is @Tom_Peters), and we have interacted there some, too. I have found his work interesting, inspiring, and often obvious (which doesn’t make it at all less important).

Read more...
Profile Image for Kym Hamer.
1,047 reviews36 followers
May 26, 2020
I've actually read this in the pre-proof edition so it's not all beautifully laid out and flowing. For all that, Tom Peters' wisdom still shines through, perhaps even more so. On every page Peters talks about Everyday Excellence - the small ways that it shows up and impacts our businesses, our relationships and our lives - and that excellence is about practice of the evangelical kind. The book is packed with quotes and stories and recommended reading, a number of which I've ordered. But the quote that resonated with me most was from Chapter 1 titled Execution, First Among Equals:

"Remember to tuck the shower curtain inside the bath."
Conrad Hilton

Making excellence an everyday habit - a worthy 5-star read!
107 reviews47 followers
June 18, 2018
In Search of Excellence was a great book for its day, and The Excellence Dividend is a great book for its day. The first was the filtered, more buttoned-down version of Tom Peters. The second, after 35 years of reading and researching and having conversations about important ideas, is the unfiltered, open-collar version of Tom Peters. Read the book because everyone else will. Read the book because you’ll gain Tom’s point of view and supporting sources on a wide range of issues. Read the book for all the quotes and examples and book recommendations.
Profile Image for Robert Williger.
6 reviews14 followers
August 11, 2018
Tom Peters does it again

Tom Peters is my all time favorite business writer. I have read or listened to some of his books multiple times as I know I will do with this one as well.

In his no BS style, direct and to the point, he covers what you need to do to compete in the modern business world.

I have so many highlights and bookmarks in this book and it is one that will stay relevant for some time to come because it is about the human aspect of business.

This book is a must read.
31 reviews
May 6, 2018
Execution Fanaticism #11: Show up early! Leave late! Sweat the details!
"A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world." John le Carre
The first-line boss is the key leadership role in the organization because they have direct contact with those who do the work. The frontline bosses connect the aspirations of the business to the people who do the work. A must read for the supervisor of a six to eight person unit.
557 reviews10 followers
May 21, 2019
I like the cut of Tom Peters' jib. No nonsense advice delivered with passion, and an enthusiasm for people and what they can achieve by being human.

The style the text is laid out in, with lots of acroynms, lots of big bold letters, and some tub-thumping repetition can be distracting (not in a good way) but you get used to it soon enough and it seems totally in line with the walking exclamation mark that is Tom Peters
Profile Image for Oliwia Bieniek.
7 reviews
January 1, 2019
The book offers a comprehensive list and examples of how to stand out and be 'excellent' in various professional areas. Nice read for mid-level management to start thinking how to get better and leadership. Peters' ADD style of writing and his quirky odd thoughts inserts are often distracting and hard to follow. I liked it overall but it's not going to end on my must-read list.
Profile Image for Rick.
320 reviews6 followers
February 7, 2019
Read his book In Search of Excellence way back when probably one of the first books I read on leadership. The sequel is just as powerful and reaffirming as the original. Basically comes down to continuing to put people first and strive for excellence for the next 5 minutes. Do yourself a favor, get caught up in his passion and read the book.
Profile Image for Venkatesh-Prasad.
223 reviews
December 14, 2019
Interesting read

Very similar in style to "The little big things" but focused on excellence as a strategy. So, if you liked the style of TLBT, then you will not have issues with this book. That said, the style, does make it a quick read. As for the topic, no complains there. Some real good food for thought and practice.
Profile Image for Aitor Lizartza Martin.
13 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2020
Tom Peters in essence. Full of references of other authors and god tips for your work/life. Sometimes overwhelming, as he is shooting a lot concepts at the same time. But anyways, good book and easy to go through it.

1. Execution
2. Excellence
3. People
4. Innovation
5. Adding Value
6. Leadership Excellence

"Loosers focus on enemies, winners focus on allies, allies and more allies"
Profile Image for Dean Calhoun.
22 reviews2 followers
April 14, 2018
As always - outrageously Tom Peters

Many nuggets of actionable items to make you a better leader and thinker. Packed with quotes and suggested readings. Read it, then take action!!!!!!
5 reviews
June 22, 2018
Great content

Thia is the first Tom Peters book I read. I really like the content. I've learnt a lot. I re-confirmed stuff I believe in. Not giving a five stars because I really dislike the writing style but what you will learn surpass it so it's worth it.
Profile Image for Marilyn Jess.
115 reviews8 followers
June 19, 2018
Brilliance, from start to finish. Includes many recommended readings to further your knowledge. If you follow this advice, in business and in life, you will be living your best life.
Profile Image for Brendan O'Toole.
7 reviews
July 15, 2018
Fantastic read for any business leader. I have countless highlights and pages folded for future reference.
Profile Image for Matthew.
Author 1 book45 followers
August 9, 2018
3.5 Stars, some good stuff in here in terms of day to day management. A few golden observations as well
Profile Image for Glen.
185 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2018
Long awaited!!!

Refresher in Excellence for a new age ... and the next.
Timely and important for all managers, especially managers of our selves.
58 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2018
Terrible and fragmented writing style :( Having read “In Search of Excellence”, it is difficult to believe that this book was written by one of those authors. Disappointed.
53 reviews
November 15, 2018
I loved it! Tom Peters is excellent in his field! Lots of great subjects! The 18 E's, women in business/ untapped buying power, IT, algorithms, etc. I would recommend the book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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